The ceremony marks the start of King Charles III reign Senior leaders across Leicester and Leicestershire will come together in a ceremony on Sunday to mark the beginning of the new King’s reign. On Saturday, the proclamation of the new King will be made at St James’s Palace by the Garter King of Arms and read aloud at the Royal Exchange in London. On Sunday, at noon, it will be read aloud at Edinburgh Castle, Cardiff Castle and Hillsborough Castle in Belfast. By order of the Accession Council, a duty is conferred on the High Sheriff to make the proclamation in the city and county. On Sunday at 1pm, in Leicester, the High Sheriff will stand on the steps of the Town Hall with the Lord-Lieutenant, Lord Mayor of Leicester, and Chairman of the County Council to read the proclamation of the King. Flags which had flown at half-mast since The Queen’s death will be raised briefly to their full height to mark the start of His Majesty’s reign. HM Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Michael Kapur OBE, said: “We are all grieving The Queen and the next few days will be a period of collective mourning. “The reading of the proclamation is a significant moment following The Queen’s death and I am expecting large numbers of people to want to witness this piece of history. The High Sheriff, Mehmooda Duke MBE, said: “The proclamation of the new sovereign is a very old tradition which can be traced back over many centuries. “In an age where modern technology will convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is not the means by which people will learn that they have a new Monarch. It will be, however, one of the first occasions when communities have the opportunity to come together and reflect on a moment in our nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving Monarch ended and our new King succeeded.” Civic leaders will be joined by faith leaders, representatives of the emergency services, armed forces cadets, and members of the public. Other local readings will follow around the county, at which the Lord-Lieutenant will be represented by his deputies.

Temporary Chief Constable Rob Nixon has thanked the community for their ongoing support as our policing operation continues in the East Leicester area. Proactive policing patrols are continuing in the area and full investigations remain ongoing following the recent incidents with a team of 24 investigators working to identify people responsible. A community meeting was also held last night. A dispersal order was placed in the area yesterday evening. However no dispersals were made as part of this. Further arrests were also made in the Belgrave area yesterday evening (Wednesday). Just after 10pm, police were deployed to the Down Street area where a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill. A 26-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. No-one was injured during the incident. Five arrests have also been made this morning (Thursday) in the East Leicester area after officers executed a number of warrants. Four men aged 31, 27, 27 and 25 were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder – these arrests are in connection with reports of disturbance on Monday 5 September. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, which relates to reports of disturbance on 28 August. All those arrested remain in custody at this time as officers continue to establish the full circumstances. Temporary Chief Constable Nixon said: “Firstly I would again like to place on record my thanks to the communities of East Leicester for their support and co-operation both in response to the incidents and our policing operation and investigations. “I am grateful to those members of the community who have joined us in calling for calm and an end to the recent incidents of violence. I want to assure you a robust policing plan remains in place and increased patrols will continue. “The community meeting shared the progress that we are making together. I am extremely grateful to all who were able to attend and contributed. I would like to reassure you we are in a strong position and our communities are safe. This is a minority of people we are dealing with who are causing disturbance to our communities. “Last night was calmer. Our officers enforced a dispersal order in the area, however no dispersals were required. A number of arrests have also been made yesterday evening and this morning. Today we are also appealing to the public for information to help us identify people we would like to speak to as part of our investigations. This appeal can be found here - Appeal to speak to men pictured following report of disorder in East Leicester | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk). “As a force we continuing to work alongside community leaders both to find a peaceful resolution to these recent incidents and to bring those responsible to justice. We are continuing to ask anyone with information to come forward. “I know that speculation is continuing on social media and I am making a direct plea for you not to get involved and ensure that Leicester remains the diverse, harmonious city we all know it is. “Thank you for continuing to support us and continuing to pull together with us.”

Officers investigating a report of disorder in the East Leicester area are appealing to speak to the four men pictured. It is believed the men pictured may have information in relation to an incident which happened at around 9.15pm in the area of Melton Road and Shaftesbury Avenue on Sunday 28 August. Police had been called to the Belgrave area of Leicester following a report of crowds in the area who were celebrating after the conclusion of the India versus Pakistan cricket match. Officers attended the area of Melton Road, Shaftesbury Avenue and Belgrave Road. While there, it was reported both a member of the public and an officer had been assaulted. A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and assaulting an emergency worker. He has since been released under investigation. This morning (Thurs), a 19-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with the incident. He currently remains in police custody. Police are now appealing to speak to the men pictured as part of their ongoing investigations. If you know who the men pictured are, or if you are one of the men pictured, you should contact police on 101 quoting incident 165 of 8 September. You can also report online at www.leics.police.uk.

A scheme that would ensure that Leicester’s famous outdoor market remains the beating heart of the city’s Old Town for a new generation has been proposed by the City Mayor. Sir Peter Soulsby has outlined proposals for more than £7.5m of improvements that would preserve the character of Leicester’s traditional market, while updating it for the benefit of both traders and shoppers and creating a market fit for the 21st century. Ideas for improvements – shown in a series of artist’s impressions – include upgrades for stalls, better lighting, smart new paving, and a shuttered perimeter that would keep the site secure at night. All the old wooden stalls – now in poor condition – would be removed, and around 70 smart new stalls would be installed in their place, creating an attractive environment for the fruit, veg and other traders. The new stalls would be set out in an improved layout to create better pedestrian routes through the market. City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We want to make sure that Leicester Market has a bright future – and that means helping it to adapt to reflect the way that people shop today. “By reconfiguring the space to reflect current demand for traditional market stalls, we can create new opportunities for new businesses that will complement the existing offer and attract new activity, and new life, to the market area. “There’s been a busy working market at the heart of our city for centuries, and these proposals will help ensure that that continues. “This investment will make sure that our historic market continues to serve its loyal customers, while attracting a new generation of shoppers to a market that’s fit for the 21stcentury.” The city council will be engaging with the 55 businesses that currently operate from Leicester Market, with traders invited to find out more about the proposals at a number of drop-in sessions from tomorrow (Wednesday 7 September). Subject to planning permission, work on the market refurbishment could get under way in spring next year and would take around 15 months to complete. While refurbishment works are under way, the outdoor market and its traders would relocate to Green Dragon Square, where around 50 covered stalls and up to 20 lockable units, illustrated below, would provide a temporary home for the historic market. The proposed investment would complement other significant improvements carried out by the city council in the area over the last decade. This includes the demolition of the 1970s indoor market hall, the creation of an attractive new food hall, the opening of Green Dragon Square, the upgrading of all the roads and footways around the perimeter of the market area, and the creation of a high-quality new pedestrian route from Town Hall Square. These latest proposals would also aim to showcase the architectural quality of the buildings around the market place, including the former Odeon cinema with its recently-restored 1920s façade. A formal decision on the proposed investment in Leicester Market will be made later this month.

Leicester Pride is Leicester’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) festival and is a colourful and vibrant event celebrating diversity and freedom of expression. The event starts with a spectacular parade through the city which culminates at an popular event on Victoria Park that includes live music, market stalls, funfair rides and health and wellbeing information. The event is free to attend and celebrates equality and diversity in the community. Leicester Pride is a family event with entertainment and attractions suitable for all ages. Pride is attended by more than 10,000 people each year with more than 2,000 taking part in the parade through the city. Saturday 3rd of September Victoria Park, Leicester, LE1 7RY. Parade starts at 12 noon. For more information www.leicesterpride.com Download the Pride magazine here Leicester Media - LM News is proud to be the official media partner for Leicester Pride. Look out for the event pictures and videos coming soon. A big thank you to all the Leicester Pride sponsors.

Five men have been sentenced to more than 25 years in prison for a number of drugs offences following the success of Operation Impose enforcement action last year. The men appeared at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 25 August) to be sentenced following their guilty pleas at separate hearings at the same court over the last few months. Operation Impose was a two-week long enforcement with coordinated warrants carried out at multiple addresses across Hinckley and surrounding areas in September last year. The response followed months of investigative work, with the operation targeting those bringing drugs into the county – through county lines activity – and those dealing on a local level. The overt activity followed months of work by the force to build the case against those involved in the drugs lines. The five men are: Ian Jackson, 40, of Westmorland Road, Coventry, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs – heroin and crack cocaine. He was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison. Shane Jackson, 22, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs – cocaine and heroin, and one count of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs – cannabis. He was sentenced to six years and ten months in prison. Nathan Jones, 33, of Dunsmore Avenue, Coventry, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs – crack cocaine and heroin. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Jamie Harris, 45, of Coniston Close, Earl Shilton, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class drugs – heroin and crack cocaine. He was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison. Danny Avis, 30, of Poyser Road, Nuneaton, pleaded guilty to two counts of supply class A drugs – heroin and crack cocaine. He was sentenced to 19 months in prison. The Jacksons, Jones and Avis were arrested on the same day, with officers targeting addresses at the same time or moving quickly to known addresses for the suspected offenders. Harris was arrested three days later on 23 September. Evidence gathered revealed that Ian Jackson, based in Coventry, with the assistance of his son Shane Jackson, controlled a drugs line known as the “Pablo Line”. In order to facilitate their distribution within Leicestershire, they directed others such as Jones, Avis and Harris to supply drug users on their behalf. Detective Inspector Rob Arthur was overseeing the enforcement activity and subsequent investigation. He said: “These sentences today are reflective of the seriousness of the crimes committed by these five men – who were all involved in bringing drugs on to the streets of Leicestershire in various ways. “The enforcement activity, with the support of other agencies, helped reduce the amount of drugs and allowed people to get help from other agencies.” The enforcement operation – Operation Impose – which has led to this court case, was carried out with the help of funding from the National County Lines Coordination Centre. For more information about the enforcement activity, visit: Hinckley County Lines drugs gangs taken out of business by police | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)

Police are looking to trace a number of items of jewellery and two bikes stolen from an address in Ratby, Leicestershire. The occupants of an address in Jordan Court returned home from a week-long holiday on Friday (19 August) to discover their home had been burgled. The incident took place sometime between 6am on Friday 12 August and 3.30pm on Friday 19 August. Officers have released pictures of five of the items stolen in the hope someone may recognise them if they have seen them for sale. They are – a matching diamond engagement ring and necklace, a sapphire and opal ring, a silver and black Specialized SX Trail mountain bike and a Kenevo electric mountain bike. A number of other items were also stolen, including a gold cross chain engraved with the name ‘Lucy Brackenbury’, a silver pocket watch engraved with the name ‘George Bruce’, two black backpacks – one Evoc and one Camelbak and two cordless Dewalt power tools. Currently no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Jill Turner, Investigative Support Assistant for the incident, said: “We are carrying out a number of enquiries in order to identify the person responsible for this offence but we also want to try and recover the items taken. “If you have any information relating to this incident please get in touch. Have you been in the area of Jordan Court in the timeframe given and seen something suspicious? Have you seen any of the items pictured or described for sale? Please contact police if you know anything you think might help with the investigation.” Call police on 101 or report online, quoting crime reference number 22*482829.

Leicester's city centre streets are due to come alive this month with a breathtaking festival showcasing live performances, street arts, interactive fun and the UK’s largest puppet. City Festival 2022 takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, offering a two-day programme packed with events, activities and attractions suitable for all ages and tastes. The spectacle will take place at sites throughout the city centre including Humberstone Gate, Clock Tower, Jubilee Square, Church Gate, Town Hall Square and Green Dragon Square near Leicester Market. A centrepiece of the spectacle will be the UK’s largest puppet – a folklore-styled towering 10-metre giant, which will tour the streets of the city centre accompanied by flashmob-styled performances and music along the route. On Saturday, August 27, Storm’s journey begins at Town Hall Square at 12noon, travelling to the Clock Tower where she will be met with sizzling samba rhythms from Leicester’s Sambando at 2.30pm, before a climactic performance by dancers from Studio 79 to mark the end of Storm’s journey at Jubilee Square at 3.55pm. On Sunday Storm’s route will see the colossus travelling from The Circle outside the Mattioli Woods Building in Welford Place, accompanied by the thunderous Japanese drumming of Leicester Taiko at 12noon. Indian dance company Nupur Arts will lead Storm to the farewell finale at the Clock Tower at 1.15pm, with a parade of ocean friends, showcasing Indian Classical, Bollywood and Indian Folk dance. Throughout the Saturday and Sunday, there will also be a packed programme of interactive play, exploration and discovery. From 12noon till 5pm on Saturday, Jubilee Square will host activities including Plankton by Enter Edem, where visitors can explore the micro-beauty of the oceans with interactive puppetry workshops, bringing the story of this unseen world to life. The Bees offers an engaging installation of multi-sensory hives, each hiding a unique, unexpected interior world. It takes place at 12noon, 2pm and 4pm, while Focus offers free art activities and games, including designing a banner, making a green pledge and joining in with family games. Humberstone Gate will host The Whale, where visitors can step inside a giant silver whale to experience a fun, immersive mini show for intrepid sailors of all ages, in a relaxed, family-friendly and ramp-accessible way. The Whale will be open from 11am till 1.30pm, and 2.30pm to 5pm. Ocho the ground-breaking inflatable octopus will also be strutting its stuff, curling and swaying its way through the city’s streets at 12.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. Sunday’s programme of events runs from 12noon to 4.30pm, and includes Mayfly at the Clock Tower - a spectacular fusion of water, dance and song which sees the stage come to life with water effects and leaping fountains. There is also an interactive workshop after the first performance at 12noon to learn more from those involved in the creation, and a touch tour for visitors with visual impairments, which can be booked by contacting festivals@leicester.gov.uk The Bewonderment Machine, in High Street at 12noon, 2pm and 4pm, creates a miniature theatrical flight of the imagination, combining puppetry, machinery, hand-carved wooden animals and music on a cycle-powered carousel, while a Sweep of Swallows paints the city skies with colour, movement, and the sweet sound of birdsong. Open Streets at Town Hall Square, Green Dragon Square and Church Gate will showcase Cyclone Works’ crazy bikes, offer rickshaw rides, and a chance to try out an adapted bike or grab a ride on a Santander Cycles Leicester e-bike. There will also be guided walks and led rides, fix-it sessions from Dr Bike, and an extreme mountain biking display. Open Streets runs from 1pm to 4pm. Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The City Festival is one of the most popular events in Leicester’s summer programme, and I’m delighted to see once again that it promises a packed programme of family-friendly fun in the heart of the city. “All the events at the City Festival are free to take part in, which is particularly important given the position many families find themselves in at the end of the summer holidays and feeling the pressures of the cost of living crisis. “I hope people take advantage of what is on offer and enjoy the weekend.” City Festival is the climax of Leicester’s Summer in the City season of events, which has also included the The World Reimagined, Caribbean Carnival, National Play Day, Journeys Festival, Belgrave Mela and the City Beach. For more details visit: City Festival - Visit Leicester

The Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Road Safety Partnership (LLRRSP) has brought three mothballed speed camera sites back online. The cameras, which are all in Leicester, were taken out of operation between 2016 and 2018 to allow for highways engineering works. The cameras are located on: A594 Aylestone Road, near Leicester Royal Infirmary, A594 Welford Road, near Leicester prison and A6 London Road, near Saxby Street. As the final phase of the digital upgrade from 35mm wet film all three of these cameras now use more efficient technology similar to the other speed camera sites across Leicester and Leicestershire. Jonathan Clarkson, LLRRSP spokesperson, said, “The digital upgrade of these three cameras means our speed enforcement at these locations is more reliable as it uses wireless technology. In addition,the London Road and Welford Road cameras now also enforce red traffic light violations along with excessive speed.” “In the past 5 years (2017-21) the London Road camera site has seen 2 serious and 13 slight injury casualties, Welford Road 5 serious and 8 slight injuries and Aylestone Road 16 slight injuries.” Visit www.speedorsafety.com to find our camera locations. The first enforcement (red light) camera was installed in 1990 at the A4560 Narborough Road/Fullhurst Avenue in Leicester. The majority of Leicester and Leicestershire’s speed and red light camera sites became operational between 1991 and 2005. Our most recent camera site, on the A6/Loughborough Road near Quorn, became operational in 2012.

The Chief Executive of East Midlands based DHU Healthcare, Stephen Bateman, has been appointed to a Non-Executive Director role on the Board of Urgent Health UK (UHUK). Leading the ‘not-for-profit’ community interest company since 2014, he comments, “I am incredibly proud of DHU’s community interest status – and the diverse range of services we provide around the clock to the NHS frontline. We value our role as a corporate citizen – and invest in the communities we are part of, donating to good causes, buying from local businesses and services, and offering employment opportunities. I look forward to supporting UHUK to maximise the benefits and value of social responsibility.” UHUK is a partnership of non-profit and social enterprise healthcare providers serving over 28million people across the UK. Like DHU, its members deliver compassionate, high-quality patient care alongside the NHS – supporting emergency departments, urgent treatment centres, NHS111, community nursing, emergency services dentistry, minor injury units and more. Stephen continues, “Partnership is transforming health and social care, and it is this sort of collaboration that will drive forward much-needed change. DHU is already part of five integrated care systems in the East Midlands and we are set to expand into the West Midlands later this year. Through this additional Non-Executive role I am keen to see our independent organisations coming together to make a difference to healthcare through the route of social enterprise.” With no shareholders and a focus on benefitting others, the companies that make up UHUK re-invest any surplus funds they create into patient care and services, their workplaces, and the places they are part of. “We are a group of companies driven to provide high standards of care to our patients as well as great places for our people to work, and services that give value for money, says Conor Burke, UHUKs Chief Executive. “We are delighted that Stephen has joined the Board in our support. As ‘one voice’ our partnership has a real opportunity to contribute to the NHS and we would like to see every integrated health system opting to partner with social enterprise.” DHU Healthcare is a ‘not-for-profit’ community interest company providing a diverse range of services to the NHS frontline, including urgent and emergency care, primary care, out of hours services and NHS111. We operate 365 days a year, 24 hours a day across a wide geographical area including Derbyshire, Northamptonshire; Nottinghamshire; Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland; Lincolnshire, Milton Keynes, Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire – a population totalling around ten million. A socially conscious organisation, we provide compassionate, safe, high- quality care to our patients and the communities we serve and offer a supportive work environment to our 2,000 people.

A man who broke into a string of business across Leicester and taking money has admitted his crimes. Damion Maloney, 44, was arrested by officers on Thursday (11 August) after being linked to break-ins that took place between 23 June and 2 August this year. On Friday he was charged with seven counts of committing burglary other than dwelling, relating to the following incidents: A restaurant in Queens Road, Clarendon Park on 23 June A massage business in Narborough Road on 9 July A restaurant in Queens Road, Clarendon Park on 14 July A takeaway in Queens Road, Clarendon Park on 16 July A car modification business in Aylestone Road on 19 July A health centre in London Road on 27 July A juice bar in King Street, Leicester city centre on 2 August Maloney, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to all offences at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (13 August). He is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Monday 12 September. Sergeant Ben Widdowson, deputy commander for the South Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), said: “Maloney is a prolific offender who targeted businesses in both south and central Leicester. I’m grateful to those business owners who provided support and information that led us to identify Maloney as the person responsible. "Working in partnership with colleagues based in the city centre, we were able to locate and arrest him. “I hope business owners across the city will feel some relief that he’s been charged in connection with a number of break-ins and is now going to face the consequences of his actions.” Further information on how you can protect your business from criminals can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-business-safe-from-crime/keep-burglars-out-business/

Protect your bike from theft, says Commissioner Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Rupert Matthews, went along to see PCSO Vince Preston and the South Leicester beat team in Leicester's Victoria Park recently where officers were holding a ‘Bike Marking' event. ‘Bike Marking' is a way to secure your bike from thieves. Marking involves a highly effective and visible deterrent sticker that notifies any would-be thieves that your bike is security marked. Any marked and registered bike can be traced. Get your bike security marked. It's a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves. They know that if they are caught with a registered bike, the owner can be traced, and they will be arrested. One hundred seventy-four bikes were marked in 72 hours by PCSO Vince Preston. My thanks to PCSO Preston and the local beat team for their efforts. One of the key ways we can stop crime is by ensuring that we properly secure our property. Beyond double locking your bike, registering and marking is a great way to deter criminals. It was incredibly reassuring to see how much traction the local beat team received from the public. In just 72 hours, 174 bikes were marked. This is a straightforward active step that residents can take to protect their property. I would encourage residents to register their bikes via https://www.bikeregister.com or use Bikeregister to find out when your local police force will be holding a marking event near you.